MAZDA

Mazda is one of the bigger Japanese car manufacturers, wit its head office in Hiroshima, and is pronounced "Matsuda" in Japanese. It originally produced machine tools and switched to vehicles in 1927. Mazda is currently majority owned by Ford, and some models share components. It was well known for pioneering the rotary engine, which is still seen today in its RX-8 model.

Current UK Mazda Cars:

Mazda 2

The Mazda 2 is the smallest car in the range, similar in size to a Ford Fiesta supermini. It is available in both 3 and 5 door hatchback forms, and starts from £8899 in the UK.


Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 is the VW Golf sized mid range compact model, available as either a 5 door hatch or a 4 door saloon, like the Jetta. it has a range of petrol and diesel engines from 1.4 to a powerful 2.3 litre MPS range topping model, and starts from £11,200 in the UK.


Mazda 5

The Mazda 5 (there is no Mazda 4 currently in production) is an MPV people carrier the size of a Vauxhall Zafira model, that has 7 seats and sprightly handling, designed to transport the whole family. It comes with a choice of 1.8 and 2.0 petrol or 2.0 diesel engines, and starts from £15,770.


Mazda 6

The Mazda 6 is the mid size saloon and estate car that is a similar size to the Ford Mondeo and VW Passat models. It is called the Atenza in its home market, and in the UK comes with a choice of 1.8, 2.0 and 2.5 litre petrol engines or a 2.2 diesel power plant. Prices start from £15180 in the UK.


Mazda MX5

The Mazda MX5 is the worldwide best selling roadster model, based on the simple principle of a small front engined rear wheel drive 2 seat convertible. It is in its 3rd generation but has always been considered one of the best handling, most fun cars to drive - my wife has one and loves it! It is now also available with a folding hard top roof.


Mazda CX7

The Mazda CX7 is a 4x4 crossover vehicle that also works as a practical people carrier. It has very much on road focused dynamics and has sports car like styling rather than traditional squared off chunky looks. It would be a good seller in the UK but is limited by a single engine choice of a 2.3 petrol unit that it a good motor, but the UK rally looks for diesel in its 4 wheel drive models.

Mazda RX8

The Mazda RX8 is an individual front engined rear wheel drive 2+2 coupe that has a set of rear doors that are half size and open backwards to allow easier access to the rear seat than conventional coupe models. It also has an unconventional Rotary engine, that is only a 1.3 but provides the power of a much larger unit but revving incredibly highly. Rotary engines are known for high revs and very little torque, and also poor fuel consumption, but to use the engine is incredibly smooth and free revving.


Manufacturer website: www.mazda.co.uk